Liverpool boss Klopp admits importance of van Dijk, Gomez return | OneFootball

Jurgen Klopp was clearly pleased to have Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez back in action on Thursday.

Both defenders missed the majority of last season through injury, but returned in the 4-3 loss to Hertha Berlin in Innsbruck.

Asked about their return, Klopp told the club's website: "It was a nice feeling. Started immediately well and usually we all know that the fourth goal is a clear situation which saw and defend well. But that's it. I'm not sure, 260-something days for Virg and not much less for Joe they didn't play football, so it's nice to have them back. It was the first step, really important.

"Nearly all are back, then during Evian they will pretty much all be back I think. That's good and then we can really start preparing, involve them all, get used to each other again and all this kind of stuff. Then we have a tricky start away at Norwich, that's how it is.

"They obviously were flying last year, they're probably still flying, so we have to be ready to fight – and I saw glimpses of a fight tonight. I saw the boys want and all this kind of stuff, there's no doubt.

"All the things I said before the game – that we are in full training all time. No doubt there was a lot of good things as well but, of course, conceding four is not an option – but for tonight we have to take it."